Player/Parent Handbook

THE PLEDGE AND PURPOSE OF ST. LOUIS FUSION VOLLEYBALL CLUB

St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club is a competitive program dedicated to: advancing the personal and athletic development of youth through the pursuit of excellence in volleyball; fostering a sense of community throughout the Club; and promoting leadership in all Club members.

We, the coaches and other members of St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club, want to be associated with THIS CLUB to share the pledge of creating and supporting a program that has a profoundly positive effect on young athletes within the context of competitive volleyball: We help young athletes develop "life" skills by teaching them to set difficult, but achievable goals; We assist young athletes to achieve these goals by fostering in them and in ourselves a personal commitment to support each other and work as a team, which requires diligence, perseverance, and discipline.

We recognize that all the coaches, athletes, parents, and members benefit from being committed to a progressive club that has a continuity of purpose and that pursues excellence; we pledge to do whatever it takes to create and support such a program.

THE PLEDGE STATEMENT

During the 2010 season, the Board of Directors engaged in a strategic planning program designed to define goals and set action items to meet our goals. Periodically, the board will review these statements to assure they continue to reflect what St. Louis Fusion Volleyball stands for and why we are part of the Club.

The Pledge Statement is the "road map" for the Club. We strive to have everything we do reflect our pledge; we are a competitive club and we pursue excellence in a community atmosphere. To achieve this pledge, we expect a lot from each other, from our staff, from our athletes and from their families. To be the best you can be requires a time commitment, a financial commitment, and a high standard of behavior, both inside and outside the gym. Only by following through on these commitments can we truly pursue the St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Pledge.

We would like to affirm to you, the athletes and the parents, that you are part of one of the finest programs in the area. St. Louis Fusion Volleyball is committed to provide a program of excellence: excellence in the achievements of its athletes, excellence in consistently strong coaching and administration, and most importantly, excellence in opportunities for every athlete to develop into the best athlete she can be.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Club Address
        St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club
        David Schauwecker
        3387 Crystalline Drive
        St. Louis, MO  63125
        Home:    314.487.1022
        Cell Phone:  314.249.4186
        Web Site:  www.stlfusion.net
        Email:  ds@stlfusion.net

Practice Sites

Various churches, schools and gyms throughout the area.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club Board of Directors, comprised of 4 board members listed, meets regularly and sets club policy.

Dave Schauwecker         ds@stlfusion.net
Cynthia Schauwecker     cyn@stlfusion.net
Phil Griffith                    griffith.philip@gmail.com
Wilma Griffith                wilma@stlfusion.net

TRYOUTS

Each year we evaluate a large number of athletes during tryouts. Some athletes have extensive playing experience while others do not. Athletes first go through a battery of physical tests; then they are evaluated on skill execution, as well as intrinsic traits. We base our selections on what the athletes do during the tryout period and what we perceive their potential to be. We select athletes based on the following criteria, in this order of importance: Athletic ability for volleyball, athletic potential, work ethic, drive, willingness to be coached, competitive attitude, and, lastly, skill ability.

Every athlete in the Club is evaluated each year. Each athlete must come to the tryouts ready to compete for a place on one of our teams. (An athlete with a limiting physical or medical condition should talk to the Head Coach prior to the start of the tryout period.) Players should never assume because they are on a team one year they will automatically make a team the following year. Athletes are selected for teams because they show the ability or potential, in the staff’s opinion, to help those teams compete successfully at the highest level.

MEMBERSHIP AND FEES

Each team's fees differ, depending primarily on the amount of practice time the team has, number of out of town tournaments, and the length of their season. The Board devised a payment plan to meet the operating needs of the club while making the payment of fees easier for the majority of our members.

The payer and player must sign the contract which must be hand delivered with full fees or payment #1 of payment plan to the Coach or Director at the Commitment Meeting.   St. Louis Fusion Volleyball fees are all inclusive, except for special tournament fees & travel expenses for players and teams that travel.

We at St. Louis Fusion Volleyball are committed to helping young athletes excel.   A program of this magnitude and quality is expensive, both in terms of commitment of time and money.

EXPENSES
 
    > Costs are divided evenly among all athletes as team cost - regardless
        of attending practices, tournaments or not.

    > Expenses include:
          o  Coaches airfare/transportation
          o  Coaches lodging and coaches food allowance
          o  Coaches stipend
          o  Uniform cost
          o  Gym rentals
          o  Club fee
          o  Equipment purchases

    > St. Louis Fusion Volleyball will not request additional monies unless
        the following occurs:
          o A player has left the team and did not pay their fee resulting in
             a deficit in the team budget that may need to be covered by the
             remaining players.  If the amount is not covered this could cause
             the team to lose practices or tournaments.
          o The team elects to attend some special tournaments, such as,
             Nationals, AAU or JVDA tournaments that were not originally
             budgeted.
          o The team elects to attend additional or special training, such as,
             plyometric or core conditioning training.
          o The team elects to purchase special equipment.  The equipment
             will be purchased through St. Louis Fusion Volleyball and becomes
             the property of St. Louis Fusion Volleyball.

Expense Policy
 
Non-payment of team fees on a timely basis can result in being dismissed from the team. Players will not be allowed to play if fees are delinquent.  If the player leaves the team voluntarily or is released the payer/parent/guardian is still responsible for any remaining payment of any fees.  The Parents/Guardians agrees to pay all collection, attorney and court fees to recover any monies owed to STL Fusion Volleyball.  Failure to attend a tournament on their schedule will not absolve their part of the tournament expense.

The fees paid to St. Louis Fusion Volleyball are non-refundable except under certain circumstances:

    * Fees collected to cover a special tournament that was not attended
       and St. Louis Fusion Volleyball was not charged for.
    * Fees collected to cover special training that was not attended and
       St. Louis Fusion was not charged for.
    * A portion of team fees will be refunded if, in the opinion of St. Louis
       Fusion Volleyball, were excessively charged.

Exceptions to expense policy

A player is unable to continue because of season ending injury while playing on St. Louis Fusion Volleyball team in a sanctioned St. Louis Fusion Volleyball event or if a new player is picked up in mid season.  Refunds can not be made for amounts already paid, but any additional fees can be waived.

School Activities

We do not discourage players from participating in any school activities. Members must notify their St. Louis Fusion Volleyball coach in advance if they miss practice or a tournament because of school conflicts.  We expect the athlete to attend all St. Louis Fusion Volleyball practices and games. If they miss practice or tournaments, it will affect player's playing time.

Amount of playing time for all players is at coaches’ discretion and may not be equal for all players.

TEAM TRAVEL

We discourage athletes from participating in another club sport during our season because the physical demands and the time commitments of these teams are too great to allow participation in more than one club sport at a time. We do not discourage players from participating in any school activities.

As we are about to begin another exciting and successful St. Louis Fusion Volleyball season, please remember that the athletes best performances will occur when they are on the top of their game physically and mentally. In order to maintain the body and mind at a peak performance level, an athlete must learn to handle various stresses and deal with the recovery process following workouts. These stresses can be any one or a combination of the following: poor nutrition, illness, fatigue (i.e. lack of sleep), insufficient rest between workout sessions, emotional stress from schoolwork, friends or family situations, or other extracurricular activities.

It is of paramount importance that you take these factors into account when scheduling your time and activities. The body can only handle a certain amount of stress within a given time period before illness and injuries occur. The practice schedule and workouts designed throughout the season by our St. Louis Fusion Volleyball coaches have taken into account the need for adequate rest and recovery in avoiding excessive stress.

Amount of playing time for all players is at coaches’ discretion and may not be equal for all players.

Purpose of Travel Tournaments

• Provide a higher competitive experience than competition within the Gateway Region.
• Gauge how teams compare to the rest of the country.
  
• Provide athlete’s exposure to collegiate coaches.
  

Benefits of Travel Tournaments:

• Teach athletes time management skills.
• Teach athletes to be productive team members while traveling in competitive environment.
  
• Teach athletes to handle the rigors of a competitive schedule.  A must for the college athlete.
  
• Development of friendships with athletes from different areas of the country.
  

TRAVEL POLICIES

• Airfares for players and parents are to be handled by parents on an individual basis. Your coach can inform you of his/her personal flight schedule if you ask him/her.
  
• We will provide a notice of the hotel phone # and deadline date as far in advance of a trip as we can. Hotel rooms will be reserved under the St. Louis Fusion Volleyball block. You will have to ask for the St. Louis Fusion  Volleyball block.  Further instructions will be provided for each out of town tournament.  Parents/guardians are responsible for payment for any reservations made and any reservations not canceled.
  

Parents are always welcome on trips for the "help they render" to the coaches if coach request assistance in some manner. And most important, extra eyes are appreciated in keeping the players safe.

We recommend $25-$30 per day for the athlete’s food and miscellaneous expenses.

GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

1. WE TRAVEL TO OUT-OF-TOWN TOURNAMENTS TO COMPETE; everything else is secondary.

2. Athletes will be courteous to and respectfully obey all staff members. This includes all coaches, chaperons, trainers and/or other adults officially traveling with the team.

3. Athletes may not leave the hotel area at any time or for any reason without permission from their coach or chaperone/parent.

4. If player must leave the room for any reason, always inform coach or chaperone. Always go in a pair and never leave door ajar or unlocked, even if you just go to the room across the hall, always take your key with you.

5. Athletes must report any illness or injury to the coach and chaperone immediately.

6. Athletes must lodge with their team during the tournament. Please do not ask to have your athlete stay at your hotel or room if bit staying at the team’s hotel. Players will be under the supervision of their parent/guardian.

7. Room phone numbers are to be given ONLY to members of the travel party.

8. An athlete who damages any property at lodging or playing facility will be personally responsible for damages.

9. An athlete found in possession of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or weapons will be sent home immediately at parent’s expense.

10. Boyfriends or male friends are not allowed or to be in a hotel room alone with any player/s unless a parent or team chaperone is present.  This rule is not meant to include siblings, however, if they happen to be another players boyfriend, then it does mean them too.

11. There is a no swimming/no Jacuzzi policy while athletes are under club supervision on out-of-town trips.  Swimming or Jacuzzi use is permissible when supervised by parents or guardians who accept that responsibility, but under no circumstance will a coach be responsible for supervising players in a pool or Jacuzzi.

12. An athlete who disobeys any one of the travel rules may be sent home immediately at the expense of the parent. Violation of any travel rule also may result in the athlete being asked to leave the Club, depending on the evaluation of the situation by the Coach and the Directors immediately after the trip is completed.

MOVEMENT BETWEEN TEAMS

Occasionally an athlete will be moved from one team to another. Movement is at the sole discretion of the Club. Athletes who move from or to a team will have their dues pro-rated, subtracting or adding, as needed. No athlete will be moved from or to another team until the move is discussed with the parents.

PRACTICE
 
1. Tryouts and team practices are open to parents interested in attending with approval of the coach.

2.  All teams will attempt to practice once or more per week.

3. Scheduled practice time is start time. Please arrive early enough to be dressed and completely ready for practice by start time, which usually requires arriving 15 minutes before start time.

4. Horseplay or ball handling in the lobby of practice or tournament areas is strictly prohibited.

5. All athletes are expected to attend every practice. Regardless of the reason, if an athlete misses an excessive number of practices, her playing time may decrease.

6. IF AN ATHLETE CANNOT BE AT PRACTICE, THE ATHLETE IS EXPECTED TO CALL THE COACH. It is the athlete’s responsibility (not the parent’s) to reach the coach before the practice starts.

7. Athletes are encouraged to bring water, in an unbreakable container, to practices and tournaments. Absolutely no glass containers are allowed in the gym.

USAV TOURNAMENTS

1. All athletes are expected to be in the gym, READY TO WARM-UP, at the scheduled arrival time. This usually means the athlete needs to arrive at the site 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time.

2. NO FOOD, DRINK (other than water), or CHEWING GUM IS ALLOWED IN ANY GYM AT ANY TIME. A tournament director may penalize teams if parents and/or supporters ignore this rule.

3. Proper demeanor is expected of all members of the Club (athletes, parents, supporters) at all tournaments; this includes treating members of the officiating crew with respect.

4. Parents are responsible for arranging/providing transportation for their athlete to and from the tournament sites and players will be under parental/guardian supervision until the coach arrives / leaves tournament site. Parents should inform coach if they do not plan on staying when they bring player to tournament. "Players" should always inform coach when leaving tournament/practice with parent/guardian/ride.

5. All athletes are expected to attend every tournament to which she has committed. IF AN ATHLETE CANNOT BE AT A TOURNAMENT, THE ATHLETE IS EXPECTED TO INFORM THE COACH AS SOON AS THE ATHLETE KNOWS SHE WILL BE ABSENT. It is the athlete’s (not the parent’s) responsibility to inform her coach of this absence.

6. Except for the starting times, most USAV tournaments do not follow a set time schedule. Matches will begin 10 minutes after the end of the previous match. Because of this format, it is very difficult to determine exactly when a tournament will end. Expect to play all day.

7. Athletes will not be allowed to leave a tournament site until excused by the coach.

8. We strongly advise that you pack a cooler for your athlete and family for the day of a tournament. Although you may not bring it inside the facilities, you can leave it outside the facility or in your car. Some gyms offer concessions.

OFFICIATING
 
1. Officiating is the shared responsibility of the entire team. All St. Louis Fusion Volleyball athletes are required to help with the line judging, score keeping, visual scoring and 2nd and 1st officiating duties.  Except in cases of true emergency, an athlete may not leave a tournament before the team’s assignment is completed.

2. All members of each team will attend the referee and scorekeeper clinic. These athletes are responsible for passing all requirements to become Certified Officials.

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. While representing St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club, all athletes are expected to behave in a responsible manner. Determination of what is responsible lies solely with the Club.

2. Any athlete damaging equipment owned by St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club or any facility used by the Club during practices, tournaments or other functions, or at lodging facilities, or in transportation vehicles, will be required to reimburse the Club and/or facility for the damages before continuing in the Club. In some circumstances, the athlete may be dismissed from the Club.

3. No athlete will be allowed to participate during the current season if fees from last year are unpaid.

4. An athlete with a delinquent account during the current season may be denied the privilege of playing in a tournament and/or asked to sit out at practice until the account is paid or arrangements are made with the Director.

5. The athlete’s current season’s account must be paid in full before the athlete will be allowed to participate in the last tournament of the season.

6. In case of inclement weather, coaches will attempt to notify you as soon as practical of practice/tournament cancellations.

7. St. Louis Fusion Volleyball has the philosophy that playing time for all athletes is determined by the performance of the athlete, and is left to the discretion of her St. Louis Fusion Volleyball coach. This includes playing time at all tournaments. In keeping with our Pledge Statement and Purpose, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE EQUAL PLAYING TIME ON ANY TEAM OR AT ANY EVENT.

8. We expect St. Louis Fusion Volleyball practices and tournaments to take priority over all other outside activities, with the exception of school activities.

9. Each Player is responsible for their uniforms and will incur additional expenses to replace any part of the uniform that is lost or damaged.

10.  Social Networking Sites, such as, Facebook and Twitter:   The club will see any information seen/posted on a player’s account as public information whether or not it is marked private or for particular people only.  If it’s on the Web, its public knowledge.  Do not post unflattering or disparaging comments regarding St. Louis Fusion Volleyball Club, players, teams, coaches, or other clubs.

11.  Coaches and Club personnel will not provide medications to players.  Medications include over the counter drugs, such as, aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc.  Players are encouraged to have their own supply and directed on their use by their parents/guardians. 

12.  Players are encouraged to have with them their own supply of bandages, shoelaces, hair restraints, and water bottles.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Knowing when to communicate and how to communicate with your athlete’s coach is a concern for almost every parent at some time during the season. Most often the concern is how to inquire about issues surrounding playing time.

At St. Louis Fusion Volleyball we encourage the athlete to talk to the coach when she has a problem about her playing time, or if she is unclear about what the coach expects from her either in practice or in competition. The appropriate attitude is for the athlete to ask the coach what she needs to do to get more opportunities to play in matches. Parents can best help their athlete by helping her set some goals to achieve more opportunities.

When parents have a problem that is specific to their own athlete, we also encourage them to first talk to the coach. What coaches will not do is discuss "coaching decisions." "Coaching decisions" include, among other things, specific match decisions (who played when, who was subbed out and when, etc.) The amount of time any given athlete is on the court is the result of a complex determination, in that coach’s opinion, of the athlete’s ability, the athlete’s potential, the athlete’s position, the team’s needs at the moment, and the team’s needs in the future. The coach will not be required to defend his / her thought process or conclusions in these determinations, and it is improper for a parent to request it.

In addition, we instruct coaches not to discuss any athlete other than the parent’s own, or the actions of any other St. Louis Fusion Volleyball coach. If you as a parent have legitimate concerns about a coach other than your athlete’s coach, or with an athlete other than your own; you need to address the Director. Please note again that "coaching decisions" are not, in our opinion, legitimate concerns.

Specifically, the procedures to follow if you as a parent, or your athlete as a member of a St. Louis Fusion Volleyball team, have concerns about St. Louis Fusion Volleyball policies or actions are, in this order:

1. The athlete should speak to or meet with the coach about the matter.

• If the matter remains unresolved, or if the athlete has reasonable concern that speaking to the coach will not resolve the matter,

2. The parent should speak to or meet with the coach. Parents and/or athletes are expected to call the coach on the phone to set a meeting.

• Meetings are to be at times and locations other than tournaments.
• If a parent approaches a coach during a tournament, we have instructed the coach to refuse to discuss any controversial matter, to refer the parent to the Director, and to walk away from the parent, until the matter can be discussed at an appropriate time and location.
  
• The recommended time for a parent and/or athlete to talk to a coach about a problem is a previously arranged meeting time either before or immediately after a scheduled practice.
  
• If the matter still remains unresolved, or if the parent has reasonable concern that speaking to the coach will not resolve the matter,
  

3. The parent may speak to the Club Director and request a meeting with the coach and Director.

• In certain situations, St. Louis Fusion Volleyball may ask the athlete to attend the meeting, also.
• Meetings should be previously arranged. Meetings will not be scheduled during or at a tournament site.
  
• The Coach and/or the Director will not engage in discussions about coaching decisions.
  

4. If the parent and/or the athlete are not satisfied by the action taken by the Coach and/or the Director, they may request, in writing, that the Board of Directors review the matter.

• The Board may, at its sole discretion, review or refuse to review the matter.
• The Board will not review coaching decisions, training regimes or skill development.
  

Other general policies regarding grievances with the Club are:

1.  St. Louis Fusion Volleyball will not tolerate hostile, aggressive confrontations between a parent and any official, or a parent and any coach, or a parent and any athlete, or a parent and any other parent, whether the coach, athlete or other parent is a member of St. Louis Fusion Volleyball or not. Violation of this policy may result in the athlete being dismissed from St. Louis Fusion Volleyball.

2.  It is inappropriate for an athlete or a parent to approach other St. Louis Fusion Volleyball members about a problem the athlete or parents having with a St. Louis Fusion Volleyball coach, about objections to coaching decisions, or about disagreement with an administrative decision.

• Asking uninvolved persons to take sides in an issue is unfair to the third party and to the Club. Competitive team athletics, by its very nature, creates situations where everyone may not be happy at all times. For the  psychological health of the teams and the Club as a whole, grievances need to be handled between the parties involved and the decision-makers in the situation.
  

3.  Any member who is approached and asked to listen to or express an opinion about matters between two other parties in the Club is strongly encouraged to refer the complaining party to take the matter up with either the coach in question, and/or the Director.

4.  Repetitive complaining to the athlete(s) or other third parties that interferes with the Club’s efforts to pursue its stated pledge and purpose may be cause, in the sole determination of the Club, to ask a member to resign.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Federal law (Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964) prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. St. Louis Fusion Volleyball is fully committed to preventing sexual harassment in any form in its program. We try to be very sensitive to conduct that may be seen, as creating an environment that is sexually discriminatory or harassing. This includes demanding sexual favors in exchange for promotions, raises or continued employment, whether between employer and employee or employee and club member; unwelcome touching of any kind; unwanted letters, telephone calls or E-mail of a personal nature; unwarranted inquiries about personal life or sexual habits; repeated jokes with sexual content; sexual comments about a person’s appearance or body.

In addition, St. Louis Fusion Volleyball vigilantly maintains a policy that places the safety of the young athletes entrusted to our care and instruction as our highest priority. We do not tolerate verbal or physical behavior that compromises that priority. We try to watch team activities and interactions closely to try to prevent miscommunications that cause discomfort to any of the athletes or parents.

REPORTING COMPLAINTS

If you see behavior by a St. Louis Fusion Volleyball member you believe appears to be inappropriate, or if you experience behavior from a coach or administrator that you believe to be inappropriate, report it immediately to either the Coach or the Director. All complaints will be investigated. Any member found to be in violation of the sexual discrimination policy would be subject to discipline, which may include dismissal. There will be no retaliation against any complainants and/or witnesses who participate in an investigation of a sexual harassment charge.

If you have questions about St. Louis Fusion Volleyball’s policies or procedures, please do not hesitate to contact:

Dave Schauwecker    ds@stlfusion.net                314.249.4186
Phil Griffith               griffith.philip@gmail.com    314.566.9106

COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETES

St. Louis Fusion Volleyball has and will continue to help produce videotapes for our club members interested in making videotape to use in their recruitment process.

St. Louis Fusion Volleyball, on your behalf, will contact any college coach with a follow up call to aid in the recruiting process.
 
INSURANCE

Again this year, your USAV Gateway Region membership will provide secondary medical coverage for injury at practice and tournaments. Please report any injuries to the director so that proper paperwork is filed.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

If you have any questions or concerns about any part of the St. Louis Fusion Volleyball operations, you will have your questions answered and your concerns respectfully heard.

We will work diligently to afford every athlete in our program the opportunity to develop her athletic and personal potential to the fullest.

We will be as open and forthright as possible in dealing with our members.